Buddhist scripture

[Tonstad39]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

 

[LuisDantas]

Hmm, that is not quite how we deal with our writings, but I guess we use that what we know.

If I may, the Kalama Sutta might be a good starting point.

Then, perhaps the Dhammapada.

 

[Lyndon]

I started with the Dhammapada., Buddhist scriptures take up like 300 volumes, its hard to know where to start on that

 

[sayak83]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

Check the book below.
https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Word...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WGBKXDCPCGR7VXS334RC

 

[Unveiled Artist]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

I'd probably say The Buddha's First Sermon.

Also, Principles of a Layman Follower is good.

Once you start reading, put them to practice more than you study. I know some monks that haven't read a lot of the suttas but they are heavily into worship and practice. It depends on how much devotion you want to put in, what your definition of it is, and how will study advance your practice.

 

[David1967]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

The 3 cannons. Tripitaka. That will keep you busy for as while.

 

[Twilight Hue]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

There are certainly a lot of writing to be found in Buddhism isn't there? ;0)

Buddhism as a religion does not have anything in context of being holy or scriptural in the manner most people view it. There is of course, foundational literature as others mentioned by which the framework of Buddhism is based, but in essence, Buddhism is scripture-less as such works are in themselves, empty by way of impermanence as with all phenomena.

In essence, a practical form of guidance exists by which Buddhists base their practice upon and share experiences through those gone long ago with those present today. A form of transmission that is experienced as much as it is read.

Best suggestion would be finding material to learn to meditate first and then pick up selected reading material later, after you sit for a bit.

You will discover in the course of time what literature will appeal and what doesn't depending on your disposition. Such "scriptures" will eventually come out of the woodwork eventually. Experiment a bit.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The 3 cannons. Tripitaka. That will keep you busy for as while.

That's an understatement. *Yikes*

 

[crossfire]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

I agree with all of the suttas that have already been presented. Here are some more:
For an analysis of the Eightfold Path:
Magga-vibhanga Sutta: An Analysis of the Path

For some stuff you can chew on for a while:
Maha-satipatthana Sutta: The Great Frames of Reference

This one to keep you focused on what is really important:
Simsapa Sutta: The Simsapa Leaves

 

[Twilight Hue]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

Incidentally, do you have a particular school of Buddhism in mind yet? Dominant texts can vary respective to the tradition and school itself.

 

[Tonstad39]

Incidentally, do you have a particular school of Buddhism in mind yet? Dominant texts can vary respective to the tradition and school itself.

Not really, only the basic concepts like enlightenment, the eight realms and how the self manifests in the world surrounding me.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Not really, only the basic concepts like enlightenment, the eight realms and how the self manifests in the world surrounding me.

Well the suggestions mentioned already are pretty good.

Believe it or not, my very first introduction to Buddhism was reading, "Buddhism for Dummies".

Still have it too. :0)

 

[David1967]

Secondary books by modern authors are beneficial as well. I am presently reading (for the second time), 'The heart of the Buddhas teaching' by Thich Nhat Hahn. Excellent book. The author does a very good job of explaining things.

 

[Tonstad39]

Thanks everyone for the resources, I will find them very useful and if I am to comment: Buddhism (and other dharmic faiths) seem to rely more heavily reliant on the practices like Medditation, achieving bliss etc. whereas Abrahamic faiths like Christianity rely more heavily on interperating scripture than on prayer.

 

[godnotgod]

The heart of Buddhism is the principle of Sunyata, or Emptiness. Stated simply, it says that:

'form is emptiness;'
emptiness is form'

This is to say that all phenomena, including us, have no inherent self-nature, and that is because all 'things' are interconnected and co-arise with all other 'things'. This in turn is called The Law of Dependent Origination*.

If you can gain insight into the heart of Sunyata, you will realize your own Enlightenment.

This core principle is taught in the Buddha's Heart Sutra, of which there is a new translation by the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh titled: "The Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore", here:

https://plumvillage.org/news/thich-nhat-hanh-new-heart-sutra-translation/

*here called "Interdependent Arising"

 

[Tonstad39]

The heart of Buddhism is the principle of Sunyata, or Emptiness. Stated simply, it says that:

'form is emptiness;'
emptiness is form'

This is to say that all phenomena, including us, have no inherent self-nature, and that is because all 'things' are interconnected and co-arise with all other 'things'. This in turn is called The Law of Dependent Origination*.

If you can gain insight into the heart of Sunyata, you will realize your own Enlightenment.

This core principle is taught in the Buddha's Heart Sutra, of which there is a new translation by the Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh titled: "The Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore", here:

https://plumvillage.org/news/thich-nhat-hanh-new-heart-sutra-translation/

*here called "Interdependent Arising"

That reminds me: yesterday I popped into my first buddhist service (Vajrayana for the curious) and the teacher had a service on emptiness and the illusion of reality as well as the delusion of attaching your emotions to an inanimate object.

 

[godnotgod]

A taste of Zen:

 

[godnotgod]

As someone looking into the Buddhism faith to accept its teachings as true, what is the holy literature associated with the faith as a starting point on the eightfold path?

When Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who brought Zen to China, was asked by the Emperor:

"And what of the Holy Scriptures?"

Bodhidharma replied:

"No holiness is clear, like space"

 

[DanielR]

Right now I enjoy reading the Lankavatara Sutra. I also ordered the Heart Sutra, the Platform Sutra and the Diamond Sutra (all Zen scriptures I believe).

I also have a copy of Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika. that contains a lot of logic not an easy read by far but I would recommend it anyway

 

[godnotgod]

Anyone interested in an intellectual and insightful analysis of Zen might take a look at Hubert Benoit's "Zen and the Psychology of Transformation", available as a free .pdf download, here:

https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Hubert-Benoit-The-Supreme-Doctrine.pdf

Or you can purchase the book used for as little as $1.75 on amazon.com, here:

Amazon.com: Zen and the Psychology of Transformation: The Supreme Doctrine (9780892812721): Hubert Benoit, Aldous Huxley: Books